Today's News

HILLSVILLE — The June 14 vote on the proposed changes to Carroll's subdivision ordinance was unanimous, even though one supervisor voiced his personal objection to shrinking minimum lot sizes.
Planning commission members and county supervisors had already tweaked the language of the ordinance — meant to control residential developments — once since making more sweeping changes last year.
The supervisors considered another three revisions at its regular June meeting and held a public hearing before making their decision on this round.

Ron Gorton's new business is all about creating bonds.
In the pursuit of developing his "Fusion Plus" product, Gorton has formed a relationship with the business developers at the Crossroads Institute in Galax.
The other indispensable bond takes place at a molecular level, because Fusion Plus is meant to be a durable, year-round and affordable fix for cracked pavement.
Fusion Plus has all kinds of potential applications, but Gorton wants to work with localities and departments of transportation to develop a way to keep the roads in good shape.

INDEPENDENCE — A motion to use the two schools included in Phase I of Grayson’s long-term facilities improvement plan as collateral for an extended loan was nearly defeated after two board members disagreed with the idea.
Dennis Howard, senior vice president of SunTrust Bank, attended the Grayson School Board meeting last Monday night to explain the plan.

Three Twin County projects have applied to the Virginia Tobacco Commission for more than $3 million in funding to move the economic, education and community development efforts forward.
Two of the applications originated with projects at the Crossroads Institute, including the now-familiar effort to develop the Wildwood Commerce Park at Interstate 77's Exit 19 in Carroll County.
That application requests a grant of $2.5 million to further prepare the site for business and industry.

HILLSVILLE — The Hillsville Rescue Squad has been given up for dead as town officials end their attempts to resuscitate the long-shuttered volunteer emergency medical service.
Carroll County and Hillsville officials moved to close the rescue squad about eight years ago, after learning the captain had inappropriately used an ambulance to move furniture from Marion to an apartment in town.

INDEPENDENCE — The Grayson County School System will try again to obtain bids to construct two turning lanes at the new Grayson Highlands School in the Grant community.
A bid opening was held June 8 at the new school, but only two bids were received.
Chad Newman, director of personnel and operations, said the bids — one from a local contractor and the second from a Wytheville contractor — were not opened because the school system had to have a minimum of three bids.

INDEPENDENCE — The owner of the Davis-Bourne Inn has announced that the bed and breakfast will close June 26.
The inn's restaurant, Journey's End, will remain open through Sunday.
Owner Taphne Volinskus cited financial reasons for her decision.
She said she will be selling "personal and business property" through June 27. A list of items will be listed at www.davisbourneinn.net/menu. The inn and its 9.9 acres will be for sale on July 20.

When the Galax Foundation for Excellence in Education scholarship organization begun in 1987, it awarded two scholarships, worth $500 each, to Galax High School students.
Today, 23 years since its inception, the foundation reached a milestone of awarding more than $1 million in scholarships on June 7 during an awards ceremony at GHS.